Julius Caesar Nichols Robertson

The first sheriff of Hardeman County, Julius Caesar Nichols (JCN) Robertson was born in February 20, 1792 near Jonesboro, TN, the oldest town in Tennessee. The Robertson’s were descendants of King Duncan I of Scotland. His great grandfather, Randolph Robertson (b.1712) came to the New County and settled in Brunswick, VA with his wife. They had 10 children. Two of their famous sons, Majors Charles Robertson and James Robertson who is often referred to as “Father of Tennessee”; crossed the frozen Cumberland River in December 1790 and built Fort Nashborough. This settlement became Nashville, TN. Charles and his wife Susannah Nichols Robertson also had a large family, their son George was father of Julius Caesar Nichols (JCN) Robertson. JCN Robertson grew up admiring Andrew Jackson who practiced law in Jonesboro, TN and in 1812; he joined General Jackson’s Old Tennessee Volunteers and fought the Creek War in Alabama, was a sergeant at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, and marched with him to the Battle of New Orleans. He was commissioned Captain in 1816 and in 1833 commissioned Brigadier General of the 14^thRegiment of the Militia. In 1819, Robertson was appointed Government Agent for the Cherokee Reservation. The family story is one day while Robertson was away getting money and supplies for the Indians; his wife, Margaret was alone at home with her child. Indians came to the home with the intent of killing everyone there. Margaret pretended to be clam and welcomed the Indians and handed her baby to one of the braves and left the room to get refreshments. She knew the Indian’s code of honor would never allow them to harm anyone left in their trust, especially a child. Sure enough, they put the baby in its crib and left as she was bringing food and drink into the room. The Robertson’s would eventually have 8 children in all.

In 1823, the Robertson’s moved to Western District of Tennessee to help establish Hardeman County. On November 17, 1823 the first county court was organized in Thomas McNeal’s home in Hatchie Town, about one mile north of present day Bolivar on the Hatchie River. They elected William Polk to serve as chairman, Thomas J. Hardeman as clerk; Elisha W. Boyette, register; and JCN Robertson as sheriff and tax collector. George Gibson and Joseph Rosson were appointed first deputy sheriffs.

It was a hard job as sheriff with disparate characters and thousands of Indians still roaming the area. He served as sheriff from 1823-1836. William Stockton served for 2 years, then Robertson was re-elected again for 2 years, with a total of 15 years in all. During this time wild varmint’s skins were even used as money, he collected for taxes and debts. The first jail was a big oak tree, which criminals would be tied to in Hatchie Town; in 1824 the first log court house (oldest in West TN) was built on Court Square. The upstairs was used as a jail for a short time.

1832 – 1842, Robertson was an active member of the Board of Trustee of the Female Academy of Bolivar, supporting women’s right to education. In 1834, he was elected to the Constitution Convention that framed the Tennessee Constitution. In 1835, he was elected Senator to represent Hardeman, Fayette and Shelby Counties. 1836, he was named Grand Master of Tennessee’s Free Masons.

JCN Robertson moved to Mississippi in 1843, where he had a plantation near Hernando. Pervious to the War Between the States, Robertson spent most of his acuminated fortune in aid of building of railroads. He became the Director for the Company of Mississippi Tennessee Railroad. It was a short line railroad between New Albany, MS and Middleton, TN. The line is still used today. JCN Robertson served as Director well into his 80’s as stockholders would not let him retire.

JCN Robertson died at the age of 87, and is buried with his wife that lived to the age of 94 in Hernando Baptist Cemetery in Mississippi.

Submitted by Ken Savage

January 19, 2011